I'm interested in this as well. Building a new machine for playing SC2, and I want it to be as quiet as possible. Budget is around $700. Is there anything in particular I should aim for to minimize sound?

FragKrag

United States11567 Posts

July 11 2010 17:57 GMT

#502

passive cooling, Antec P183/P193 case or Antec Sonata cases are known for being quiet. It's a pity that we can't get Fractal Design cases in the US.

gchan

United States654 Posts

July 12 2010 17:22 GMT

#503

GTX 460 was just released today for those looking to hit the $200-$225 range. It received rave reviews and overclocks like a champ (even beating out stock 5850). If you're in the market for a card between a 5770 and 5850, this is the one to get.

semantics

10040 Posts

July 12 2010 17:22 GMT

#504

overclocks even better with a mild over voltage, and stays cool, i find it odd it has 2 pcie pins when its like 150tdp.

a176

Canada6688 Posts

July 12 2010 17:48 GMT

#505

The 460 has now replaced the 5770 as my midrange recommendation. Its $50 more, but on average provides 10-20fps more than the 5770. Then there's the OC capability which pushes the value even higher. The 460 is also achieving 100% increase with SLI, which is astounding.

semantics

10040 Posts

July 12 2010 17:50 GMT

#506

460 does much better with tessellation making it more viable as a card to last long as dx11 starts to creep into the market.

Until it's about 30$ difference on avg i would still recommend both though.

FragKrag

United States11567 Posts

July 12 2010 18:09 GMT

#507

Don't think a $200 card can compare to a card that is about $150 on average

ZergZoul

Mexico408 Posts

July 12 2010 21:02 GMT

#508

Hi guys, after reading this thread I need some help.
Im planning on buying this:

* Mobo: gigabyte ga-ma74gmt-s2 2xddr3 2xpcie2 soc am3
* CPU: Cpu amd athlon ii™ x4 630 quad-core 2.8ghz 2mb 1333mhz soc am3
* Mem: ddr3 kingston hyperx 4 gb 1333mhz kit 2x2

I already have everything else, GPU: gforce 7600gt.

Some questions:

1.- Will this run sc2 medium ok?
2.- Should I go for 2gb of ram only and get a new gpu?
3.- Is any 500w psu ok or should I get this one? :
* cooler master extreme 500w rs500-pcara3-us
thx in advance.

FragKrag

United States11567 Posts

July 12 2010 21:27 GMT

#509

Looks like a solid build, but why are you choosing Kingston HyperX? If I'm not mistaken that is a performance line of RAM.

1. I think the GPU might be a bit weak for medium, but I don't know. Depends on the resolution you intend to play at I guess.
2. If your purpose is to play SC2, you can always upgrade your GPU later, but if you buy a 2gb stick of RAM, it may make upgrading your RAM later troublesome. I would just get the full 4gb and then add a GPU later if the 7600GT is not capable of running it.
3. 500W should be enough. Do you know how much is on the 12V Rail? Ideally it should be around the mid 30s to high 30s.

OpticalShot

Canada6330 Posts

July 12 2010 21:30 GMT

#510

On July 13 2010 06:02 ZergZoul wrote:
+ Show Spoiler +

I'm not sure if 7600GT can run SC2 smoothly... as for RAM, 4GB is recommended.

CommanderFluffy

Taiwan1059 Posts

July 13 2010 19:30 GMT

#511

Hey guys,

I'm building a mid range comp right now and i'm looking at the following combo deal:

1. XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
LIFETIME WARRANTY

2. XFX P1-650X-CAG9 650W ATX12V 2.2 / ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power ...
5 YEAR WARRANTY

link

that comes out to 200 AR.

Any thoughts on the pricing, quality of the deal?
Thoughts on the video card?
Thoughts on the PSU?

Here are my other parts:
Mobo: MSI 880GMA-E45
Processor: AMD Phenom II X6 2.8 GHz Processor
Case: Antec Three Hundred
HDD: f3 Spinpoint 7200rpm 1GB
edit: 4gb Corsair Ram (2x2)

Any help would be great!

semantics

10040 Posts

July 13 2010 19:35 GMT

#512

That is a good combo the psu is a quality psu for a good price the gpu is just fine and its 50 dollars off the total.

And they should ship for free.

Seems good to me.

FragKrag

United States11567 Posts

July 13 2010 20:24 GMT

#513

looks liek a solid build to me :>

R04R

United States1631 Posts

July 14 2010 00:29 GMT

#514

This
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.447030
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
140 + 75 - 20mir = 195

or

this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431396
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.411686
145 + 70 - 10 mir = 205

So much tweaking an uncertainty to spend all this money still, sorry D:

IntoTheWow

is awesome32278 Posts

July 14 2010 02:10 GMT

#515

I would go with the corsair + CM 690II

edit: that HDD is pretty good too.

R04R

United States1631 Posts

July 14 2010 02:44 GMT

#516

I just read reviews regarding both of the cases... pretty much won me over with the CM 690II.
And I already knew the corsair was better than that antec psu.
Just seeing the nine hundred two as a shell shocker made me want it.

FragKrag

United States11567 Posts

July 14 2010 03:17 GMT

#517

The 902 shell shocker is one of the better ones recently.

R04R

United States1631 Posts

July 14 2010 03:54 GMT

#518

Just purchased! :D

-AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

-MSI 890GXM-G65 AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

-SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100273L Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 CrossFireX Support Video Card

-OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) OCZ3G1333LV4GK.NE

-SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" -Bare Drive

-CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC

-COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN3 CM690 II Basic Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

-ASUS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

-Nippon Labs Ultra Thin Premium 0.5M (1.64 ft.) Mini SATA II Cable With Locking Latch SATA-0.5-MINI

-Nippon Labs AD-USB-SATA USB to SATA HDD Bridge Adapter

-Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (DVD)

-Newegg $10 Promotional Gift Card

Subtotal $612.92
Tax $50.57
UPS 3 DAYS $5.80
Order Total $669.29
Mail-in Rebates $35.00-
Grand Total $634.29